If you have ever wondered whether or not athletes really notice if you are present at their games or not, the answer is…yes. Four South Loup Bobcat fans were recently shown that the players notice - and they appreciate it.

Darrel Johnson, Jerry Preston, Cal Joy, and Denny Olson have made it a point to support Bobcat athletics for the past few years; and whether it’s a home game or a three-hour road trip, the fellas can always be spotted in the stands. To show their gratitude to the dedicated fans the Bobcat boys basketball team recently presented the foursome with personalized mugs and publicly recognized them at the conclusion of a home game.

Two of the athletes who came up with the idea to honor the fans are seniors Trey Connell and Joey Sallach.

“We have always noticed at our games this group of older guys that come, and it doesn’t matter how far away we play they always show up and support. They have always came over the years, even when we were down and not as good,” said Connell. “We just always really appreciated when they showed up for us so we decided we should do something for them.”

Personalized mugs seemed like a good way to say “thank you” to their biggest fans, and the graphic arts department at Arnold High School made it happen.

The guys have primarily followed the football and boy’s basketball teams, but have been known to make an appearance at a girl's event as well. They seem to just enjoy supporting the youth. “They come and watch us play no matter where we’re at,” Connell added.

Connell said honoring the fans was a decision made by the entire team. They made the presentation following the game against Hi-Line on Feb. 9. “It was nice to be able to have the whole team shake their hands

cont. PAGE 5 - Ultimate Fans and tell them thank you,” said Connell.

Sallach echoed Connell's sentiments about the foursome. “They are the first persons in the door,” he shared. “They watch us do everything. They are usually there when we pull up in the bus. So we just wanted to say thank you to them because they are such dedicated fans.

“We’ll be shooting around even before the JV games start and they’ll be sitting there in the stands watching. We really appreciate that,” Sallach continued. “We even had games way far away in football and they came to all of them through my whole high school career.”

Though they see them at every game, most of the players do not personally know the gentlemen. If fact, only one actually has a true connection, if you will, to the team. Darrel Johnson’s grandson, Harper, is a member of the Bobcats team. So how did this ultimate fan base come about?

Johnson and Jerry Preston went to school together at Oconto High School and the two played football together. “We’ve been best friends since high school, and played basketball and football together in high school,” Johnson explained. “When his wife passed away he wanted somebody to go to the games with him.”

Olson and Joy are both bachelors, Johnson said, and because of that connection had become close friends with Preston. “So we all just started hanging out together,” said Johnson, even though he is married. “My wife goes quite often too, but whenever she doesn’t want to go a long distance I hop in with them or they ride with me.”

Many of the Arnold kids are familiar with Preston who worked in the janitorial department at Arnold Public Schools for a number of years. “He always just made school fun,” said Connell about his memories of Preston.

Johnson said often the trips to and from the games are just as fun as the games themselves. He said the guys have a lot in common, and therefore a lot to talk about. “Denny has an old van and we all just jump in it,” he shared.

“We really appreciate the acknowledgment. We just have a good time going together,” said Johnson. “We really enjoy watching those kids, whether they win or lose. There are a lot of good kids on that team.”